Test: QPAD MK-80, the mechanical keyboard to blue switches

Mechanical keyboards using Cherry MX switches are rare. This is the case of this QPAD MK - 80, an excellent keyboard for text as in the game...

QPAD MK-80

For:
Cherry MX Blue switches
Used plastic coatings
Backlight
Connector complete

Against:
Noise
The price

The pro-gamers (or those who dream of becoming) necessarily know QPAD which, on the past year, has enriched its range of mousepads to devices of game such as mice, the microphones and keyboards. It is in this last category that fits the-80, un MK true mechanical game back-lit keyboard designed switches Cherry MX blues-based. This rather top-of-range solution integrates a hub offering two USB 2.0 ports and catch helmet and micro directly over the touchpad. Point quite rare to be noted, MK-80 comes with an is decent and well-proportioned, few covered as the rest of the keyboard of a plastic soft-touch very pleasant to the touch, less messy than brilliant surfaces and who has his interest for players, since it plays a role of grip. The keys are covered with a very interesting plastic processing, is also to avoid skidding and offer a nice typing comfort.

Leaving the MK - 80 of its box, we discover a rather heavy (about 1.3 Kg) keyboard to the original design. In addition to the famous logo of the mark which is used on the space bar and the letter "Q", we appreciate a gamer but typed racy design that knows how to stay sober. Efficiency being an expensive term target within QPAD, is rather well seen and we appreciate this clean but chiseled with taste design. So-called "Lock" diodes are integrated with a faithful to all aesthetic research, and if the success of the design of the keyboard backlight on four levels, it regrets that used blue diodes do not offer a uniform light on all the keys (the lower arrow Tab, or those of the entry and delete keys do almost not). This is of course the fault to the used switch takes place, mechanical keyboard requires. It is also noted that the rear face is is equipped with only two non-slip pads, which is a little just for well hold on the keyboard to the Office. And beyond these remarks of chipoteurs, it must be recognized that this keyboard QPAD to careful finishing has typed us in the eye.

And not only in the eye! Indeed, the ears are being strained - our comrades of open-space can longer. Keys mechanism that offers two separate sound returns (a first dry halfway when the key is activated, and a second more deaf fading when the key is pressed to the maximum) made this keyboard one of noisiest ever passed our hands. Difficult to forget the noise to the strike, and yet this MK-80 provides high performance. All to text is a pleasure, with a very fast strikes with a very specific point of activation and a marked touch return. Nothing to see therefore with Cherry MX black or red base, without click keyboards and requiring a greater pressure for activation. It is simple, if you are very comfortable with a keyboard, will be great fun to type text with MK-80. Typos are rare, the fluidity is and very good sensations.

At stake, the PS/2 port allows NKRO (N - Key Rollover), or the ability of the keyboard to take into account the simultaneous striking of several keys. The anti-ghosting by QPAD is not only to title marketing, and on our small usual tests results have shown that the keyboard controller is well able to individually manage each key, without generating keys ghosts even in now pressed the inevitable blocks "Z, Q, S, D" or "E, S, D, F". Note using the PS/2 adapter to USB, limiting the NKRO to 6 keys but the anti-ghosting is doing its job well. Concern was not appreciate switches blue our gaming sessions, especially the FPS, but it is clear that once the sensation of return tame one is comfortable with, even if it would have preferred a resistance a hair more pronounced. Which in the end is especially a few problems in games involving a large repetition of striking certain keys, year in which the Maroons switches are preferred, as in the RTS. Overall, play with the MK-80 small time to adapt but can be really nice if it adheres to the sensations it provides.

With regard to reliability, this QPAD inspire confidence. The mechanism of backlight having been positioned outside the switches, it has no effect on the strength of the keys known to be excellent in Cherry. And since the entries are transparent, no fear, never they will disappear. A keyboard that proves, beyond that, very resistant, with keys planned to be minted a minimum of 50 million times each. The headphone jack does no embarrassing breath as is sometimes the case with this kind of extension cables. And eventually it is noted that four connectors to connect are gold plated. The large cable of this keyboard that integrates USB, PS/2 and two Jack ports however lacks a bit of flexibility.

At the time of the accounts, QPAD MK-80 leaves an excellent impression. If it is incredibly noisy (his biggest failure), it will delight users who type many text without disappoint them at play. A keyboard that, at the level of competition, could however not be suitable for fans of games in which he greatly be spammer the same keys. Beyond that, and its high selling price (around €120 even!), difficult to do not advise as it offers very good performance, a comfort of use remarkable with the selection of its plastics, knowing that it is both durable and well finished, in addition to having an original and eye-catching design.